Toxic Masculinity

Is there really a crisis of masculinity:

 

Sorry that has nothing to do with masculinity. My wife damn near died of a stroke because she wouldn't go see a doctor, The right still champions the idea of being ladies and gentlemen the left now thinks the terms insulting and demeaning. Toxicity is a personality flaw and it has nothing to do with one's genitalia.

 

I've never met a leftist who thinks of being a gentleman as demeaning. And just because some women also do it doesn't mean that it has nothing to do with toxic masculinity, and there have been several studies showing that, yes, this kind of thing predominantly affects men. Yes, toxicity is a personality flaw. And when it is based on a flawed concept of what it means to be a man, it is toxic masculinity. And while some on the right champion the idea of being a gentleman, many, many, many don't. Just look at the way the right praises and defends Andrew Tate as a small example. Most of the conservative streamers constantly talk about "betas". The whole red pill community is EXTREMELY right wing.

 

Andrew Tate is not a person I would consider a role model to young kids. From my perspective, the closer the male role model is to you, both physically and spiritually, the better. I like to see more people idolize some of the local law enforcement who come to their neighborhood, or school, the firefighter near their home, their uncles, great-uncles, grandparents, and so forth, but not a celebrity, whether it be sports, politics, or on the internet.

As for your dad, he is of that age where he believes that if he goes to the hospital, he will die. Older people in general, both men and women, do this sort of thing. I don't think this is toxic masculinity. It is the masculinity of some nature, but mostly by the upbringing and the belief people go to hospitals to die once you reach a certain age. My grandfather was this. He will go to the doctor's office 7 days a week, but never a hospital. My grandmother was the same way. Although renal failure is serious, there are options call dialysis. There is hemodialysis and parentenil dialysis to save a person's life.

 

They sure don't act like it when you have DJT making names to anyone and everyone he dislikes. The basic definition of toxic masculinity is where they use dominance, violence, and force to get what they want. This perfectly describes someone like Andew Tate, Stewart Rhodes, and others. Yes, men do a certain "chest thumping" when we are trying to "strut our stuff" from time to time, but toxic masculinity is where the man in question does this 24/7/365 and portrays that image on a variety of ways. A male who is toxic masculine will be more than likely to become a narcissist by nature.

 

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And I've seen women do exactly the same thing. Again it is a personality issue not a problem strictly of being male or female.

 

Yes, there is a crisis, one where the right is trying to take advantage of the situation to influence young men with an outdated concept of masculinity. By some estimates, 40% of male adolescents are being raised by women without a male role model. Some mothers are keenly aware of this and try to provide that male role model via a brother, uncle, or other close male. Unfortunately, as a culture, we have not done much to fill this need. To my mind, there used to be institutions that filled this need, such as the Boy Scouts, but that too has gone by the wayside as the BSA has had its own issues that have diminished its role.

Here's an excellently written essay on the topic: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/07/10/christine-emba-masculinity-new-model/

 

No one claimed it is "a problem strictly of being male." I don't think you are following the conversation.

 

"Stoicism" has been demanded of men for literally thousands upon thousands of years. And its STILL demanded of men. Oh sure, people say that men should open up more and cry more and what not, but the moment a guy does they're ridiculed, even by the same people that demand men get in touch with their feminist side.

So, why are men "stoic"? Because in order to do certain things you HAVE to set aside your feelings. You HAVE to be tough and withstand everything you can. And men do not do this just out of selfish reasons. They do it to try and protect loved ones also. For instance your father probably didn't want to admit what was happening in order to not worry you. To protect you from seeing him weak. This is a positive thing. To try and protect loved ones is not in any way shape or form "toxic". Being stoic however does have its double edge. Which you've already mentioned some examples of, including what happened with your dad.

So...does this mean that being stoic is an example of toxic masculinity? No. It is half and half at most.

People need to remember that EVERYTHING has its opposite. There isn't a single thing in this universe that doesn't have an opposite aspect to it.

 

"People need to remember that EVERYTHING has its opposite."

I agree, but some people can't have that because it eliminates all their "grey areas".